London, long an opponent of EU defense integration, denied holding off on giving its approval so the news would be buried under an avalanche of election coverage. It hadn’t objected to the small new unit — with a staff of around 30 — being set up but rather to the wording approving its creation. It was against the use of the words “operational HQ,” according to EU diplomats.

“We’re just working on some of the language to make sure we get it totally right,” British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson told journalists two weeks ago. The text was amended several times in an effort to appease the Brits and remove any suggestion that this was an EU military HQ.

For some countries, including Germany, France and Italy, the MPCC is exactly what the U.K. doesn’t want — a small step toward a centralized EU military base.

The new unit will be responsible for training missions in Somalia, Mali and Central African Republic. It will plan and conduct EU security missions — but not all of them. Instead, it will take charge of what are known in EU jargon as “non executive” missions, which means they have only an advisory role and not a mandate to conduct actions instead of the host nation.

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S. Alexander

We’ll have our military HQ no sooner than March 30th 2019. Don’t you worry about that.

Posted on 5/30/17 | 9:14 PM CET

Jodocus4

*sighs* Who wants a damn European unit?

Let the EU make itself useful and set up a joint office for the purchase of arms. It ought to be possible to get discounts from manufacturers when you buy US-like volumes rather than, say, Netherlands-like volumes. On everything from boots to helmets to ammunition to vehicles and helicopters.

Then members could draw from EU stocks the next time they sign up for UN peacekeeping missions.

Posted on 5/30/17 | 9:19 PM CET

S. Alexander

@Jodocus4

Your very eloquent and true explanations are just that: eloquent and true. But for our hate infused British friends they have no effect. So let me explain to them in simpler words why we should have our Army – even if my explanation is not according to the EU Army creation.

Europe should have a defensive EU Army because US is no longer willing to foot the bill for Europe’s defense. And because Great Britain recently decided it no longer likes the EU. Both above have a great military capacity that ensured the peace on the EU continent for decades. They seem to no longer want to do that, so it is up to us – the Europeans – to defend ourselves. Having a common Army would be much cheaper and fair. Since inland countries would contribute to borderland countries’ defence capabilities.

Posted on 5/30/17 | 9:45 PM CET

Les

@Jodocus @S. Alexander

Get a room boys.

Posted on 5/30/17 | 10:09 PM CET

Gareth Cooke

Oh look and all the little euro bots are so excited about a EURO ARMY WOW and who is going to pay for it then the Germans LOL i don’t think so but don’t worry they be in charge with French poodle and first battalion will be called the first broom handle regiment with a general from Luxembourg in charge oh yes such exciting time lay ahead for them brave boys next an SAS equivalent using muskets and gunpowder shot and trained by the Italians

Posted on 5/30/17 | 10:25 PM CET

Pluto

S. Alexander
“Your very eloquent and true explanations are just that: eloquent and true”

😀 Your weird and desperate sucking up to Jodocus are just that: weird and desperate.

Posted on 5/30/17 | 10:33 PM CET

Larry

@Jodocus4
You can’t just have central procurement, Each member participating will need to specialise and train with that equipment. It is no small task, not to mention 100s of billions to synchronise all the disparate militaries, abandon their existing equipment and adopt the centralised equipment.

It is rather odd that many of you talk about it like it is centralising procurement of office equipment. But good luck anyway.

Posted on 5/30/17 | 10:46 PM CET

Saintixe

@gareth

The French poodle having nuclear power along a seat at the UN, Germany is quite happy with a reliable ally vs Trump chihuahua…

Posted on 5/31/17 | 12:02 AM CET

Fiona

Saintixe
I don’t want to burst your bubble, but Macron has been president for 2 minutes and the US has kept peace in Europe for 60 years. Nothing has changed just because Germany and France are BFF’s again. The last time you two had access to lots of shooty things at the same time you destroyed the world. Please don’t do it again, we’ve only just fixed the place up from the last time.

Posted on 5/31/17 | 12:55 AM CET

Agett

I thought these guys were leaving why would they care about an integrated European military?

Posted on 5/31/17 | 2:33 AM CET

Petre

@Agett
Perhaps because they don’t trust EU with military? They will be involved in the mess if it goes wrong?

Posted on 5/31/17 | 2:44 AM CET

Pb

@S. Alexander

Why not sooner?

The reality is that Europeans do not want to pay for their own defense, in either blood or money.

Europeans are happy to insult the Americans on one hand, but happy to see American troops defending Europe on the other.

How short memories are.

The last major war the EU got itself involved in resulted in a humanitarian disaster as brave European ‘soldiers’ stood aside to watch genocidal massacres and rapes of innocent women and children, before being humiliated into begging the Americans to save Europe, yet again.

More talk and more bureaucracy is meaningless without the troops, equipment, and most importantly, will to action.

Many Europeans have proved, time and time again, unable and / or unwilling to defend either themselves or the vulnerable.

Posted on 5/31/17 | 4:25 AM CET

Madhava

Tbh I don’t care if the EU has an army my only issue is as we have now said yes does that mean the brexit bill will be increased?

If you want an EU army can you please pay for it.

Posted on 5/31/17 | 4:46 AM CET

Gareth Cooke

Saintixe

Really wow So does the UK as well never mind you be handing over your set and nukes to the EU Empire say hi to your boss Angie from use here in the UK

Posted on 5/31/17 | 7:12 AM CET

StayInEurope

Ou is out, UK has to stop medling with our european internal affairs. The european ll be build anyway. Just keep busy with your élections and keep hiring experts for the negociation.

Posted on 5/31/17 | 8:17 AM CET

Chrish

S. Alexander.

Inland countries with no non EU border. So that would be the Czech Republic and Luxembourg. A fearsome duo to provide extra defensive capabilities.